Govt vows to stay out of PDI conflict

JAKARTA (JP): The government reaffirmed yesterday its pledge not to intervene in the internal matters of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), saying the party had to resolve its own conflicts.

Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman said PDI was even free to hold a congress to elect a new chairman.

"Please do it, but not before March next year," Soesilo said referring to the time the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) would hold its general assembly to elect the president and vice president.

Armed Forces Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung echoed Soesilo's view of the PDI matter. "Let them solve their own affairs," Feisal said.

PDI secretary-general Buttu Hutapea said last week a national dialog with Megawati Soekarnoputri could help the party reach a compromise before next year's party congress.

But later, PDI chairman Soerjadi denied his party made the offer to Megawati.

Megawati, the eldest daughter of Indonesia's first president Sukarno, was ousted as party leader and replaced by Soerjadi in a government-backed congress in June 1996.

Rifts between the two factions peaked with the forceful takeover of the party's headquarters, which sparked the bloody July 27, 1996, riots.

"We must acknowledge that Megawati has many supporters, but Soerjadi is still the legitimate leader," Soesilo said.

"Why do Megawati and Soerjadi act like North and South Korea?" Soesilo quipped. (prb)